The Nottinghamshire Academy faced a battle against time in their fixture at Farnsfield, the match ultimately abandoned after weather interrupted the Academy's excellent batting performance.
Sam Kelsall and Hassan Azad opened the innings in style, reaching 133 without loss by the 24th over. At this stage Kelsall was 50* and Azad further ahead on 73*. The stand continued until the 29th, when Kelsall was bowled by Loveridge for 58. Four overs later Azad followed his partner to the pavilion, run out after attempting a very tight single for an excellent 88. At this stage, Notts looked in a strong position, the score 170-2.
The next wicket arrived after passing the 200 mark, Cross (28) bowled by Loveridge while attempting a reverse sweep. At this stage the weather intervened for the third time in the innings, forcing a ‘timed game’ and early tea was taken.
After play resumed, only one wicket followed, that of Tillcock (9) and Notts looked confident at 223-4. A declaration followed the next over, the Academy making 229-4 and Anuj Dal 24* and Tom Rowe 2*.
The Notts bowlers showed similar form to their opening batsmen, and restricted the Farnsfield reply in the early stages. Keeper Matt Cross had the first two batsmen caught behind from Hutton and Kitt, before the latter struck again in the 13th over, removing Callum Mckenzie for 10, leaving Farnsfield on 45-3.
Facing a race against time, Notts threw everything at the hosts, Tillcock claiming a wicket before two more for Hutton had Farnsfield wobbling on 105-6. The main obstacle in their way was Osama Alam, who offered the most resistance as time ran out and finished the match with 57*, the final wicket to fall being Sillcock, who was stumped off Tillcock in the 43rd over.
Six balls later time was called, the match abandoned and Farnsfield’s final score 165-7. Brett Hutton finished the innings with 3-34 and the Academy gained 13 points for their performance.